Mortha Vision

Challenge: Rising costs and increased demand for adult social care and children's services are placing a significant strain on local resources. The council faced unexpected extra costs of £7 million in adult social care and £5 million in children's services in 2023 (Express & Star).

Policy:

• Secure additional funding from central government to meet the rising costs of health and social care services.
• Develop integrated care systems to streamline service delivery and reduce overheads.
• Launch a community health initiative to support preventive care and reduce the burden on NHS services.
• Work towards reducing A&E wait times for non-emergency patients to under 30 minutes by 2028 through increased staffing and better resource management.

Challenge: The cost-of-living crisis is affecting a significant portion of Dudley's residents, with 55% reporting increased costs over the last month in May 2024. The primary drivers are food shopping (94%), fuel (61%), and gas and electricity bills (53%) (Office for National Statistics).

Policy:

• Introduce subsidies for essential utilities to ease the financial burden on low-income families.
• Advocate for the expansion of affordable housing projects to provide more options for residents.
• Work with local businesses to implement discount programmes for essential goods and services.
• Lobby for wage growth initiatives and policies to combat inflation at the national level.

Challenge: The ongoing redevelopment of Dudley's bus station and changes to bus services have disrupted local transportation. These changes are scheduled to continue throughout 2024 (West Midlands Bus Users).

Policy:

• Expedite the completion of the transportation hub to minimise disruption.
• Advocate for additional funding to improve and expand the public transportation network in Dudley.
• Introduce more electric buses to reduce environmental impact and improve air quality.
• Ensure better connectivity and service frequency to meet the needs of all residents, including those in more remote areas.

Challenge: Economic growth in Dudley has been uneven, with some areas experiencing significant deprivation. Specifically, areas such as Netherton, St. Thomas's, and St. James's have faced considerable economic challenges, including high unemployment rates and low-income levels (Express & Star).

Policy:

• Provide tax incentives and grants to support small businesses and startups in deprived areas.
• Invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs and stimulate economic activity, particularly in Netherton, St. Thomas's, and St. James's.
• Promote the development of new industries, especially in technology and green energy, to diversify the local economy.
• Establish training and apprenticeship programmes to equip residents with skills relevant to these new industries.

Challenge: Recruitment and retention of teachers, alongside the need for better educational outcomes, remain pressing issues. Dudley schools have reported a 20% shortfall in teacher recruitment in 2023 (Dudley Council).

Policy:

• Increase funding for schools to improve facilities, resources, and teacher salaries to attract and retain high-quality staff.
• Introduce professional development programmes for teachers to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
• Expand vocational training and apprenticeship opportunities in collaboration with local businesses and industries.
• Implement mentoring and support schemes to improve educational outcomes for students, particularly in underperforming schools.

Challenge: Dudley faces a significant housing shortage, with property prices rising by 15% in the last year and limited availability of affordable homes (Express & Star).

Policy:

• Attract developers with incentives to build more affordable and sustainable housing projects.
• Simplify planning processes to expedite construction of new housing developments.
• Ensure new developments include provisions for green spaces and community amenities.
• Implement initiatives to support first-time buyers and protect tenants from unfair practices, such as rent controls and longer tenancy agreements.

Challenge: Many residents and businesses in Dudley are struggling with the high tax burden, impacting their financial stability and growth potential. Small businesses in Dudley saw a 10% increase in business rates in 2023 (Express & Star).

Policy:

• Introduce targeted tax relief measures for low-income families to ease their financial burden.
• Advocate for reduced business rates for small businesses to encourage entrepreneurship and investment.
• Implement tax incentives for companies investing in green technologies and sustainable practices.
• Review and reform local tax policies to ensure they are fair and supportive of economic growth.

Challenge: Rising crime rates are a concern for residents, impacting their sense of safety and well-being. Dudley has experienced a 12% increase in reported crimes in 2023 compared to the previous year. Specific areas, such as Dudley Central and St. James's, have seen significant spikes in burglary and anti-social behaviour incidents (West Midlands Police).

Policy:

• Increase funding for local law enforcement to enhance community policing efforts and ensure faster response times.
• Invest in crime prevention programmes, including youth engagement initiatives and support services for at-risk individuals.
• Expand neighbourhood watch schemes and improve street lighting and CCTV coverage in high-risk areas.
• Collaborate with local organisations to provide rehabilitation programmes for offenders to reduce recidivism.

Challenge: Litter, graffiti, and poorly maintained public spaces affect the quality of life and the attractiveness of our neighbourhoods. Reports of littering incidents increased by 20% in 2023 (Express & Star).

Policy:

• Implement a comprehensive plan to maintain clean and tidy streets, including regular street cleaning, litter pick-up, and graffiti removal.
• Encourage community involvement through local clean-up initiatives and partnerships with schools and businesses.
• Increase the number of waste bins and recycling facilities to reduce littering and promote environmental responsibility.
• Launch public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of keeping our community clean.

• 1.Humanitarian Aid: Enhance support for international humanitarian initiatives to provide essential aid such as food, medical supplies, and shelter to civilians in conflict zones.
• 2.Conflict Resolution: Advocate for diplomatic and peaceful solutions to global conflicts. Collaborate with international bodies to support negotiations and peace-building efforts aimed at ending hostilities and establishing long-term stability.
• 3.Protection of Hostages and Civilians: Prioritise the safety and well-being of all hostages and civilians affected by conflicts, including those in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and other regions. Advocate for their humane treatment and safe return, regardless of nationality or the nature of the conflict.
• 4.Global Solidarity: Promote a unified international response to conflicts. Encourage countries to collaborate in providing aid and supporting peace efforts, emphasising the importance of global solidarity and cooperation.
• 5.Support for Refugees and Displaced Persons: Strengthen programmes that assist refugees and internally displaced persons, providing them with resources to rebuild their lives and integrate into new communities.